What’s your survival plan? Are you concerned about … the end?

I read an article by CNN Money over the weekend about survivalists — people who specialize in practicing their survival techniques in the event of a major world catastrophe.

It talked about an online dating website called “Survivalist Singles,” where people who like “canning venison, shooting firearms,” and “living off the grid” — can find a life-partner.

I do each of these things myself, so the article naturally interested me.

But when I got to the part about “creating manure from human waste,” something they call “humanure,” and preparing for “Doomsday” and “Armageddon,” I knew this wasn’t for me.

Survivalist Singles reportedly caters to the community of “preppers,” “survivalists” and “doomsdayers.”

It operates with the slogan “Don’t face the future alone,” and its membership is growing exponentially.

I’m not going to attack the site nor the article, because both things have their place and the article was well written.

Makes me think

But it gets the wheels of my mind spinning, when I think about a world catastrophe — particularly a world-ending catastrophe — and how we should prepare.

Just 13 years ago, I remember watching TV commercials for hand-held survival devices to help people in the new millennium, should the lights and computers go haywire in 2000.

As we know now, and even as early as 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2000, life went on pretty much as it did in 1999.

The big scare was much to do about nothing, other than some crafty sales pitches and a big end-of-century party.

Looking back

In 1938, American actor Orson Welles convinced the country that Martians were invading, based on his narration of the popular radio drama The War of the Worlds. A panicked public called the police and sought shelter from the attack.

Even in the past decade there have been multiple predictions of when and how the world will end. The latest appears to be Dec. 21 of this year, so I guess we better get ready!

This date is being called the “2012 Phenomenon” and according to Internet sources, it “comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur.”

If you’re confused by what that means, you’re not alone.

Laundry list

But some folks, like Patrick Geryl, are taking it seriously. CNN Money reports he’s invested more than $130,000 preparing for Doomsday, collecting items like T-shirts, sewing equipment, gloves, a rain suit, tent, a first aid box, a small chopping ax and dozens of other things.

For literature, he’ll be reading books on survival tips; edible plants, herbs and mushrooms; and a road map to southern Spain.

We each foresee the future a bit differently, and I find it interesting to hear different people’s perspectives.

For my part, I don’t quite have an underground tunnel dug, although I do have a basement where I can go during a thunderstorm.

I have enough food in my home to last two-three months, and as long as the sun continues to shine, I can grow some additional things in my backyard.

Here’s my take

If people can predict an “invasion of zombies” and “cataclysmic” events, then I can surely state my own theory: The return and judgment by Jesus Christ.

I believe that the world as we know it was created and will end on His watch alone — and not by our choosing nor by our knowing.

And, if it happens to be even remotely close to how it’s described in the scripture — knowing how to start a fire with sticks, building an underground tunnel, making your own “humanure” or being wed to a survivalist partner won’t be enough.

Recently, I talked to a dairy farmer at a dairy banquet about the many predictions that have been made — even by “believers,” as to when Christ’s return will be.

The farmer and I were both puzzled as to how certain “believing” philosophers could predict the day of judgment, when the Gospel of Matthew clearly states: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

What do you think?

Whatever you believe, I guess I’m curious — what does being a “survivalist” mean to you? Are there things you’re doing or that you feel people should do to be prepared? And what exactly are we preparing for?

Chris Kick lives in Wooster, Ohio. An American FFA Degree recipient, he holds a bachelor’s in creative writing from Ashland University. He spends his free time on his grandparents’ farms in Wayne and Holmes counties.